The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) seeks an executive director responsible for the national, non-profit organization’s $1.2 million budget and $2 million endowment campaign.

Since 1981, AAJA has promoted newsroom diversity. With a membership of approximately 2,000 professionals and students, AAJA’s mission is to encourage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to enter the ranks of journalism, to work for fair and accurate coverage of AAPIs, and to increase the number of AAPI journalists and news managers in the industry.

AAJA Executive Director Rene Astudillo has formally submitted his resignation to the governing board. It is effective Nov. 28 this year.

“Rene’s leadership, integrity and affinity for AAJA’s mission of diversity and fairness and accuracy in coverage of Asian Americans and Asian-American issues has been key to our organization’s success — and we’re so grateful to have had him for nearly 10 years. His successor will have big shoes to fill,” said AAJA National President Jeanne Mariani-Belding.

“Rene has given so much to AAJA on so many levels. We all wish him the very best in the next phase of his career. He will always be part of our AAJA family and dear to our hearts,” she added. ♦

For more information about AAJA and the executive director position, visit www.aaja.org.